Waukegan Wrongful Death Attorneys
It’s painful anytime we lose a loved one. But it’s especially agonizing when a family member’s death was caused by someone else’s wrongful actions or inactions. If your loved one died in an accident that could have been prevented, the Waukegan wrongful death attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. can help you demand justice. Our award-winning attorneys have over 40 years of experience helping clients just like you fight for the financial compensation they need after tragic accidents.
Let us help your family find closure after a senseless accident. Contact us today for your free legal consultation.
Our Success in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., we have a proven track record of helping clients recover full and fair compensation for devastating losses in wrongful death cases. Some of our case results include:
- $11.25 million jury verdict for a young boy who lost his mother in a Winnebago County car accident
- $9 million verdict for a Lake County family who lost their child in a wrongful death accident during surgery
- Over $8 million settlement for parents in Cook County whose 40-day-old son died because of a pharmacy error
- $7 million settlement for a suburban Chicago family after their wife and mother died in an automobile accident
What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
A wrongful death lawsuit is a type of legal action that’s often available to families when a person dies because of the misconduct, negligence, carelessness, or intentional action of another individual or company. This kind of lawsuit is a civil action, which allows eligible family members to recover monetary damages to cover their losses. Some of the types of damages they might be able to recover include:
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of their loved one’s income
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of household assistance
To win a wrongful death suit, surviving loved ones must be able to prove that someone else was liable for the victim’s death. A knowledgeable Waukegan wrongful death attorney from our firm can review your case for free to determine whether you have a wrongful death claim.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Only certain surviving loved ones or personal representatives are allowed to claim damages in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, survivors such as the victim’s spouse, children, siblings, and parents might be eligible to sue a negligent party for their own monetary damages caused by the loss of the victim.
The Illinois Survival Act allows the victim’s estate to sue for any non-economic or economic damages that the victim might have suffered between the time of the accident and the time the victim passed away.
An experienced Waukegan wrongful death lawyer from our firm can help determine which surviving family members or representatives might be eligible to file a suit in your particular case.
How Do You Prove a Wrongful Death Claim in Illinois?
The specific evidence needed to prove a wrongful death claim in Illinois depends on what caused the fatal accident. In general, evidence in these cases might include:
- Witness accounts
- Photographs or videos of the accident scene
- Medical records
- Testimony from experts like reconstruction specialists
- Law enforcement accident reports
- Corporate reports or correspondence
Our dedicated team has extensive experience investigating wrongful death claims. We will work quickly to preserve evidence and identify every potentially liable party.
Types of Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Some common types of wrongful death lawsuits in Illinois include cases arising from accidents like:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Dangerous or defective products
- Dog bites or animal attacks
- Poisoning or exposure to dangerous chemicals
- Construction accidents
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
- Accidents on dangerous property
- Fires or explosions
- Building or structure collapses
- Slips and falls
- Daycare abuse
- Swimming pool accidents
- Medical malpractice
Statute of Limitations on a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Under Illinois statute of limitations laws, surviving loved ones typically have only two years after a victim’s death to file a wrongful death claim. Once this deadline passes, surviving family members might not be able to get any compensation for their loss.
Exceptions to this rule might shorten or lengthen the amount of time that loved ones have to pursue legal action. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help determine which laws, timelines, and exceptions pertain to your specific case.
How Our Waukegan Wrongful Death Attorneys Can Help
At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., you can trust our attorneys to handle every aspect of your wrongful death claim. We do all the work so you can focus on grieving your loss and healing from this tragedy.
From the beginning, we will provide you the support, personalized attention, and exceptional legal representation that you need to get through this difficult time. Our knowledgeable wrongful death lawyers will conduct a full investigation into your case to determine what caused your loved one’s accident and who was liable. We will manage all the paperwork needed for your case and represent your best interests in settlement negotiations. If needed, our industry-leading attorneys will aggressively fight for your rights at trial, as well.
You and your family do not have to cope with a wrongful death alone. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C. today to learn how we can help you through this painful time. The consultation is free.
